MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JANUARY 10, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, January 10, 2007, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Christopher H. Cook, Richard Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, Michael Colangelo (arrived at 7:07 p.m.), and Robert C. Zordan, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Police Chief Robert Milano, Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa (arrived at 7:06 p.m.) Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, and Dennis Tanner representing the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department. Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
MINUTES #015
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held December 13, 2006.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #025
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner
Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Robert Kaplan, 55 Mountain View Manor expressed concern for his son’s safety and violation of his rights as a young resident of the Town of Torrington. He felt the city was unfairly targeting and harassing young skateboarders, roller bladers, and bicycle riders. Mr. Kaplan said his son was given a $92.00 fine for simple trespassing near Vogel Wetmore School. When the arresting officer called Mr. Kaplan at home that night to inform him of the incident, he heard the officer say that his son was not seen doing anything wrong. Charges were dropped for the three friends that Joshua was with during the incident.
Fred Rosa arrived at 7:06 p.m.
Commissioner Colangelo arrived at 7:07 p.m.
Mr. Kaplan thought his son was being harassed for doing the one thing he loves to do. He noted that the skate park is not open all year long and the park is insufficient to hold the bikers, roller bladers, and skaters of the city.
Mayor Bingham informed the board that Mr. Kaplan brought his complaint to the City Council and that the city will be making some changes in terms of the availability of the skate park in the future. He is hoping that more funds can be raised in order to enlarge the park.
Commissioner Colangelo asked Mayor Bingham if he could bring the matter back to the City Council to see if they could limit the enforcement of this ordinance, strike it down, or temporarily suspend it as long as no personal or public property is damaged until the proper facilities are in place.
Mayor Bingham indicated that the City Council had already voted in favor of the ordinance concerning Skateboarders, In-line Skates and Scooters. Further discussion could take place during the next Board of Safety meeting.
Chief Milano said he doesn’t tolerate any abusive language from anyone, nor does he tolerate unprofessional conduct in his department. Beyond that, he cannot comment on the incident because it’s classified as a juvenile matter. Chief Milano invited Mr. Kaplan to make an appointment with him to discuss the matter.
KYLE JOHNSON: PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER #535
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Kyle Johnson as a Probationary Police Officer for the Torrington Police Department.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #565
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for December 2006.
Chief Milano reported on an accident where a stolen car went through a red light at Mason Street and totaled a patrol car. City Council and the Board of Finance already approved funds from the Vehicle Replacement Contingency Account to replace the vehicle, pending the settlement from the insurance company.
A courtesy inspection performed by OSHA representatives in regard to the mold problem in the exhaust and ventilation system at the Police Department lead to the two following issues: The air ventilation intakes for the building are at ground level near a busy intersection which, they believe, are bringing in exhaust fumes. In addition, lead paint chips are falling from the original ceilings when the new ceiling tiles are removed. Chief Milano is waiting for a report from OSHA.
Deputy Chief Maniago stated the OSHA report should take three and four weeks to complete. The OSHA representative will return in the summer to check the mold and mildew situation when the air conditioner is in operation.
REPLACE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SIGNALS #670
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to grant Officer Shopey permission to proceed with the Capital Improvement Project to replace all pedestrian incandescent traffic signals maintained by the City of Torrington to the new LED technology.
Officer Shopey reported funds are available to complete the project and it should take one month to change the 209 pedestrian signals. Officer Shopey will supplement his staff by doing some of the work himself in order to complete the project in a timely manner.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #750
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for December 2006.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #760
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for December 2006.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo explained the problem with TAC 9. While TAC 9 is being repaired, the Board of Education’s dump truck will be used to haul the trailers in the event of a special operation incident.
Commissioner Potter expressed his concern over the fact that the dump truck may not be properly equipped with the right brakes to haul the trailers. The city can’t take the chance of being liable in the event of an accident. He suggested asking the BOE’s Maintenance Manager, David Bascetta, if the city could install the proper braking equipment on the dump truck at the city’s expense.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo confirmed the fact that the dump truck does not have trailer brakes, but he is confident that it is safe. This vehicle was used to haul the trailers prior to having TAC-9. He pointed out that this vehicle is not on the road every day, and there are no other options. In terms of installing the proper braking system, he pointed out that the vehicle doesn’t belong to the city.
Officer Shopey reported that any trailer weighing more than 3,000 pounds must have a braking system.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo said both trailers together weigh more than 3,000 pounds. He stated that he has already looked into having the braking system installed in the dump truck and was informed by Mike Michaud that he hadn’t budgeted for this expense, and the Board of Education was not interested in having them installed.
Mayor Bingham said “Why don’t we heed the warning of the Board of Safety and try to hastily figure out a solution to this contentious problem?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo said he would like the board to consider a vehicle for the Fire Department. He noted that they have been looking for a vehicle for a long time. Deputy Chief Giampaolo said, “Why is it that we have such difficulty filling the needs of the Fire Department when I’m put in a position such as this?”
Commissioner Potter suggested having Mike Michaud talk to the owner of Freightliner, the company where TAC-9 is being repaired, to see if they could make TAC-9 a priority.
Chief Field added that the Fleet Manager is the person who takes care of their vehicles. He is responsible for working out any issues with the vehicles in his care, and the Fire Department lives with the advice he furnishes. When Mike Michaud was asked whether or not he thought the dump truck was safe, he said he felt very confident with the dump truck and wouldn’t have given it to the Fire Department if he wasn’t confident that it would do the job. However, the concern that was brought to light by this board is also a concern of theirs (the Fire Department). They have no problem sitting with other people to try to come to a resolution. The last thing they would want to do is to jeopardize anyone’s safety.
Commissioner Zaharek said “We’ve got thousands of dollars worth of life
saving equipment that can’t be used because of a simple $200.00 repair
because somebody doesn’t want it on their vehicle?”
Commissioner Cook suggested asking the volunteers to see if they may have the proper equipment.
Chief Field didn’t think their inventory carried anything that could be used.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo also reported that they were unable to get the ladder on Ladder 3 to retract during a recent incident. In years past, the Vehicle Replacement Account was designed to replace pumpers and equipment and now, the wear is starting to show. The department has no back up for their equipment. It was his belief that this board needed to meet in order to evaluate this situation.
Mayor Bingham stated that the city has hired a consultant for Vehicle Replacement and that he is ready to start with Phase I, to evaluate the fleet. If any Commissioner wants to propose something to the consultant, Mayor Bingham would be more than happy to bring it to him. He said, “If there is an issue with the safety of the fleet that we have, and it’s of life or death, please let me know.”
Commissioner Cook was concerned and uncomfortable about not being to answer questions in regard to vehicle replacement for another four to five months.
Mayor Bingham said decisions in regard to concerns brought up by the Chief and the Deputy Chief can be addressed on our own without the help of a consultant.
Commissioner Colangelo inquired whether emergency vehicles would be addressed first in the Vehicle Replacement Plan. He said “The volunteers need to be looked at and we look at it strategically from the paid and the volunteers so that we can get the most bang for the dollar.”
Mayor Bingham said he could request that emergency vehicles be looked at first, but was uncertain whether or not it would change the time line.
Chief Field reminded the board that they would have been addressing this issue well before now if TAC-9 hadn’t been furnished by Homeland Security grant funds. He warned the board in the past that this vehicle could be taken from them because of how the vehicle was acquired. TAC-9 was merely a band-aid for their need for a rescue vehicle.
Commissioner Potter pointed out that the type of truck the fire Department needs has to be ordered and it takes several months to receive.
The way it was left, was that Mayor Bingham will work on trying to get the dump truck set up properly so it can be used, and Mr. Michaud will be asked to do his best to communicate with Freightliner the urgent need for getting TAC-9 back on line.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #1720
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for December 2006.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1735
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for December 2006.
Commissioner Potter asked if training could be more aggressively addressed.
Chief Field said training is a two-way street. He will do his part to insure that the Training Officer is diligent in doing his part to make that happen as much as he possibly can.
INCIDENT REPORT #1780
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for December 2006.
EMS REPORT #1800
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for December 2006.
EMERGENCY MGMT COORD’S REPORT #1820
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report for December 2006.
ADD TO AGENDA #1850
Commissioner Benedetto made a motion to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to 626-634 Main Street. Commissioner Colangelo seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Discussion took place in regard to Mayor Bingham’s letter to Robbin Cabelus, Executive Director of the Connecticut Traffic Commission, on behalf of the Board of Public Safety, dated December 12, 2006. (Attached to the official minutes in the City Clerk’s Office.)
Commissioner Benedetto stated that the Board never voted on this matter.
Mayor Bingham said the Board made a motion for the Traffic Commission not to remove any more spaces than the one space which Officer Shopey recommended. Subsequently, Ms. Cabelus said the city merely had to withdraw their application to keep from having to go to the State Traffic Commission to resolve this matter. On behalf of the board, Mayor Bingham withdrew the application.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired whether there was any signage in the space in question.
Officer Shopey said “No, unfortunately, I believe at this time, since the letter was sent as it’s written, that we have been taken off the State Traffic Commission’s agenda and therefore, no action will be taken, i.e., there will be no sign up because our concurrence to their recommendation is to remove one space. As it stands, that is not our concurrence per the letter, so there’s not going to be any removal of one space as we stand today because we have withdrawn our application. Our application was not for the removal of six; our application was for the removal of one. Their investigation was on what they recommended, the removal of six meters. They have since then turned their recommendation around to concur with our recommendation of the removal of one. But,
based on the letter, there is going to be the removal on none because they have essentially washed their hands of any investigation and it’s been pushed to the side.”
Commissioner Cook said the letter states that no space will be removed, which is contradictory to what the board agreed to do.
Mayor Bingham indicated that was not the intention of his letter.
Officer Shopey said he will call the State Traffic Commission in the morning to reassure them that the City still wants them to move forward with the removal of one space. The matter will still have to be placed on their agenda. The reason we need to go back is because there’s no official documentation for the State Traffic Commission, who ultimately regulates the signage on the roadways, to install the sign to remove the space. It will then be posted legally and it will be part of the state records that there is no space there.
Commissioner Benedetto said his concern was that Mayor Bingham’s letter resulted in the state taking no action. Getting a recommendation from the state to remove one space removes the liability from the City of Torrington.
No vote was necessary.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2570
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Milano informed the board that a new State Statute requires municipalities to enter into mutual aid unless they specifically opt out of it. It was his opinion that he should get together with the Fire Department and Emergency Management to find out what our liabilities are under the statute and whether or not they should stay in or opt out. He will keep the board abreast of the matter.
Chief Milano reported that Detective Humberto Henriquez has resigned from the force to take a position with the State Police. He will be a great loss to the city.
A citywide Block Watch Captain’s meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on January 18th. Representatives from the Support Services Unit will be talking about the sexual offender’s list and the State Statute surrounding that particular program. He invited the board to attend the meeting.
Chief Field informed the board that the new hiring process has begun, and that two spaces have been reserved for the Recruit Training Program in March.
Chief Field stated that the Ordinance Committee prefers to get more specific on the proposed fee schedule, so they will continue to work on that matter.
Dennis Tanner, representative from the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department stated that they added another Black Helmet to their department.
BUS: MEMBERS AND MAYOR #2820
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Cook commended the Fire Department for a good job at two serious fires. He thought there could be better communication in informing the Commissioners of any serious fire.
Commissioner Cook commended Officers Pietrafesa and Wityak for doing an excellent job with the PAL Program.
Commissioner Potter asked the Chiefs from both departments to be patient while they work on the process of Vehicle Replacement with the consultant. It was his belief that the city has the potential to equip our departments properly with the type of equipment they want and need, and save the city a lot of money in the long run.
Commissioner Colangelo thanked Chief Milano for the report he received.
Commissioner Zordan commended the Fire Department for their excellent job on two serious fires.
Commissioner Zordan noted that Mr. Falcone asked him to ask the board if they would approve an additional “30 Minute” parking space on the corner of Calhoun Street.
Officer Shopey said he met with Mr. Falcone about the matter in the past and noted that the space in question would directly affect Mr. Royals because the space is directly in front of his garage and he is limited to that one space. Mr. Royals expressed his disinterest in having this type of sign. Officer Shopey thought it was unfair for Mr. Falcone to put forth such a request. He would not support the request.
The board accepted Officer Shopey’s recommendation. No vote was taken.
Mayor Bingham reminded Commissioner Benedetto that he can call the Mayor’s Office anytime to suggest adding an item to the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #3385
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to go into an executive session at 8:36 p.m. for two issues under Personnel, Police Department and invited Chief Milano and Deputy Chief Maniago. Sgt. Recchini was invited in for one of the issues.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to reconvene into an open session at 10:45 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 10:45 p.m.
Ernestine Yuille Weaver
Corporation Counsel
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